British study germs on ATM keypads, public toilets

Although it is well known, new research has confirmed that public places are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. A new group discovered that an ATM keypad, as outlined by a British study, is as dirty as a public lavatory. The research was, not surprisingly, funded by antibacterial makers. This doesn’t mean that others are worried over it, nevertheless. Just think of the personal loan the bank will have to take out if someone sued them for getting sick at the ATM. Source for this article – Germs on the ATM keypad and British study on public toilets by MoneyBlogNewz.

ATM keypad considered by British study

There was a study that British researchers did. It involved common public surfaces and the bacteria on them. They swabbed and grew samples from ATM keypads, under the seat of public toilets, gas pump handles and grocery carts. The samples were sealed in a sterile bag, then grown in a petri dish. There were bacteria grown on all four swabs. These included coliform as well as e. coli. The public toilet samples grew the highest bacterial load, though they contained much the same bacteria as every other sample. ATM keypads were a very close second to the public toilets in bacterial load.

Taking into consideration the funding of the study

Studying ATM keypads and public toilets didn't bring anything new to mind. It was all expected. The study was, however, funded by the makers of antibacterial surface coatings. The scientific community keeps having issues with the place the funding comes from for studies. The results aren't invalid even though the study was obviously being used to sell more antibacterial products.

Bacteria is something to stay away from

You may buy more antibacterial surface coatings to protect yourself from bacteria. There are other things to do too though. Make sure that you wash your hands. It is an extremely important thing to do. It was shown that there isn't much of an effect that antibacterial products have. Diseases and infections still spread a ton. You don't have to use antibacterial products. Instead, take precautions and wash your hands. This way ATM keypads and public toilets will not be any more dangerous than any other public space.

Information from

NCBI

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14996673

WTAE

wtae.com/health/24325339/detail.html